Whelan beats Beckham in sport rich list

WIGAN chairman Dave Whelan has held onto his status as Britain’s richest sporting star, despite the snowballing wealth of former England captain David Beckham.

Whelan is estimated to be worth £190m, almost 50 per cent more than LA Galaxy midfielder Beckham, on £135m, according to the Sunday Times.

The list is limited to current and past sportsmen, and therefore does not include the likes of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, whose wealth totals £10.3bn.

Sports retail tycoon Whelan qualifies because his present links with hometown club Wigan are augmented by his years as a professional footballer. Former Ireland and Lions rugby player, and president emeritus of Independent News and Media, Sir Tony O’Reilly is third with £120m.